Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has put the brakes on any notion of a high-profile “champion vs. champion” fight between him and bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili — at least for now. As the UFC gears up for his next title defense at UFC 323, Pantoja made it clear in a recent sit-down with MMAFighting.com that he isn’t interested in moving up just to chase a superfight under current conditions.

“There’s a big difference jumping from 125 to 135 pounds,” Pantoja told MMAFighting.com. “Merab is an elite fighter, no doubt. But going up in weight and thinking I can finish someone like him? That’s a big ask.” He emphasized that a ten-pound disparity between flyweight and bantamweight — both in size and power — changes everything. Pantoja pointed out that history shows fighters moving up even a couple weight classes are often at a disadvantage when it comes to strength and durability.

The notion of a superfight has circulated ever since the UFC recently held two cross-division title bouts at the same event. Naturally, fans and pundits began speculating whether Pantoja would soon follow suit. Dvalishvili, the dominant bantamweight champion, has looked for top-level challenges in a division thinning out at the top, increasing chatter that a move into flyweight or a catch-weight fight could be in the works — and Pantoja’s name was mentioned early and often.

But Pantoja isn’t buying it. He admitted openly that the size gap — and likely the power and pace at bantamweight — would put him at a disadvantage. “If I were at 135 already, maybe. But not up against someone like Merab,” he said. As far as he’s concerned, a jump in weight must be justified by more than hype; it needs tactical advantage. Under the current landscape, that advantage simply doesn’t exist.

He did leave a narrow door open for a different scenario. If the bantamweight title falls into the hands of Sean O'Malley, Pantoja suggested the context might change. “If O’Malley got the belt, then maybe I’d consider it,” he said — implying that a matchup between a champion rising from within and Pantoja could carry different stakes. For now, however, he’s fully focused on his upcoming title defense against a rising challenger, not chasing glamour fights.

That next defense is coming fast. At UFC 323 he’s set to defend his flyweight crown against rising contender Joshua Van, who has rapidly climbed the divisional ranks over the past year with a string of impressive performances. Van appears hungry and ready, but Pantoja is treating the title defense as the priority. He’s made it clear that maintaining dominance inside his weight class matters more than chasing cross-division showdowns.

By shutting down the talk of a champion-vs-champion fight for now, Pantoja is reinforcing a principle: in combat sports, weight classes exist for a reason. The fundamentals — power, speed, endurance, size — shift dramatically when fighters change divisions, and even the best grapple-first champion can find himself exposed against heavier, stronger, faster opponents.

Pantoja’s stance has already sparked reactions across the MMA community. Some see his decision as a respectful nod to competitive integrity — ensuring a fair fight in a division he dominates. Others argue that such superfights fuel interest, sell pay-per-views, and create legacy moments. But for Pantoja, legacy means solid defenses, consistent dominance, and respect earned the right way — not via opportunistic weight jumps or flashy fights.

With UFC 323 on the horizon, all eyes will be on Pantoja and Joshua Van. The bout carries weight — not just for the flyweight belt, but for Pantoja’s philosophy as champion. If he wins convincingly, it further validates his claim that top level dominance doesn’t require chasing superfights. If he stumbles, the chatter for cross-division matchups will only grow louder.

For now, though, Pantoja remains grounded, clear-eyed, and firmly rooted at 125 pounds. His message is simple: Champions don’t chase glamour — they defend their crown where they belong.